I don’t have a particular focus for this post; for January, life is anything but quiet. I am going to share a few tidbits of life at the library and home. I’ll also update you on my Reading Challenge 2016. Here goes:

Wedding planning is looking to take over my home life, I accepted a proposal of marriage on New Year’s Eve (I said YES!). If you see me with color swatches stuck to my clothes or frosting on my face from a taste testing, you know why. It’s exciting and stressful all at once. Oooh, I can review some of our wedding books for you, I already have three checked out at home.

This month I visited seven area preschools and read books about snowmen and wild dinosaurs. My favorite book this month is What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night (A Very Messy Adventure) by Refe Tuma. Using photographs the author tells the story of rogue toy dinosaurs that come to life and create messes around your home. The kids thought the photos were hilarious and that none of their parents would want any of the scenarios in their own home. Check it out.

We had our first coloring book club meet-up and it was a success. Coloring Between the Lines is an all ages coloring book club, we provide all the supplies. If you’re worried it was wild with children, it wasn’t. It was the quietest program I have ever been in, everyone took the coloring process very seriously. Come join us in February.

We received a grant from the state for a Wee Build set of toys. You’ll notice new open ended block play toys in the children’s area. These toys are going to help your children develop many skills including:

Motor skills

Hand-eye coordination

Self-confidence

Conflict resolution

Problem solving

Etc. (there are many more and I provide you with articles if you want to read up on it)

If you see me out there taking pictures or asking a child what they built, you know why. They will also be used heavily in preschool storytime and over the summer. Look for some Wee-Build events for the Toddler/Preschool age children this summer.

I’m running out of steam and it’s almost time for me to meet with our therapy dogs (they have the honor of being read to by children next month). I will end with a Reading Challenge 2016 update.

Reading Challenge 2016 Update:

I have read six books that count toward my challenge categories and am in the middle of the seventh.

A book based on a fairy tale- Cinder by Marissa Meyer (teen)

A book that’s under 150 pages- In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall (children and teen)

A book that’s becoming a movie this year- How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo (Adult)

A graphic novel- Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash (teen)

A book that is published in 2016 Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse (teen, comes out in April, loved it!)

A book with a blue cover- Finding Fortune by Delia Ray (children, very good)

That’s all for now, stop by and let me know what you’re reading. See you at the library.

Miss Jenn